First Generation - Henry Wells Clapp - son of Parsons Clapp & Phebe Wells 1. Henry Wells CLAPP was born in 1792 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. He died on 17 Mar 1869 in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. The Rich Men of Massachusetts, by A. Forbes and J. W. Green, Published by W. V. Spencer, 16 State Street, Boston, Mass., 1851. p. 154. Clapp, Henry. Greenfield, Mass. $200,000 Began poor. Formerly jeweller. Now retired. Biographical Review - The Leading Citizens of Franklin County, Massachusetts, Biographical Review Publishing Company, 1895, p. 133. Henry Wells Clapp was a goldsmith, and conducted a successful business in New York City for many years, being a member of the firm of Palmer & Clapp, who commenced business on Reed Street, New York, in 1820. Retiring from the firm in 1835, he settled in Greenfield, at the corner of Main and High Streets, where he owned a large property. He became interested in real estate, and laid out Franklin Street - on which his daughter, Mrs. Russell, now resides - besides engaging in other enterprises. He was a large stockholder inthe Russell Cutlery Company, was President of the Connecticut Railroad, the Franklin County Agricultural Society, the Greenfield Bank, Franklin Savings Institution, Greenfield Cemetery Association, and the Gas Company, and was always ready to support with financial aid and practical business ability any well-concerted enterprises that promised to be of benefit to the community. He was a prominent member of the Episcopal church, and gave liberally toward ! the erection of St. James's Chapel. He was a man of literary and artistic tastes, possessing a good knowledge of ancient and modern history, general English literature, and much genealogical information. He combined justice with charity, and gave freely of his wealth, alway using, however, a wise discrimination. His death occured in Greenfield, on March 17,1869. He had five children by his first wife, all of whom reached maturity, and became heads of as many respective families. History of Greenfield Shire Town of Franklin County Massachusetts, by Francis M. Thompson, Greenfield, Mass., Vol. II, 1904. p. 847-8. Born in Sprinfield in 1798, and when sixteen years old began to learn the trade of goldsmith and jeweler at Newark, N.J. He entered into business in New York, and soon accumulated what was considered a good fortune in those days. His mother was a daughter of Dr. Henry Wells of Montague, which fact probably accounts for his locaton in this town. He came here in 1835 and purchased the Gould place, where he resided until his death. He took great interest and pride in everything which promoted the interest of the town. He never would accept political office, but was president of the Greenfield Bank, the Franklin County Agricultural Society, the Green River Cemetery Company, the Greenfield Gas Light Company, the Franklin Savings Institution and of the Connecticut River Railroad Company. It was largely through the influence of Mr. Clapp that the "Greenfield Branch" of the Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad was made a part of the main line from Grouts to Greenfield, and from ! thence to Brattleboro, the branch. He was the leading spirit in the consolidation of the Springfield & Northampton and the Northampton & Greenfield railroads to form the Connecticut River Railroad Company. In this matter he had the sharp opposition of other leading men of Greenfield where officers in the local road. As an example of his interest in the town, he and Jonathan Bird employed at their own expense a distinguished engineer to come here and estimat the expense of bringing in an abudant water supply, either by erecting a reservoir upon the Rocky Moutain and forcing the supply from the Connecticut, or other means. He built the first town hall, as is related in town records. He sold to the laboring men of te town little homes, giving easy terms of payment and doing much for their prosperity and success. The great elms on Franklin and east Main streets are a living monument to his memory. He loaned his money to promote Greenfield industries, and at his death was ! mourned as the leading man and well beloved citizen of the town. Henry Wells CLAPP and Eliza BALDWIN were married in 1823. Henry Wells CLAPP and Eliza BALDWIN had the following children: +2 i. Cornelia CLAPP (born about 1825). +3 ii. Caroline Matilda CLAPP (born on 1 Feb 1824). +4 iii. Elizabeth CLAPP. Henry Wells CLAPP and Ann C. HILLIARD were married on 2 Jun 1833. Ann C. HILLIARD (daughter of Robert Bell HILLIARD and Sophia CRANE) was born on 5 Oct 1807. Biographical Review - The Leading Citizens of Franklin County, Massachusetts, Biographical Review Publishing Company, 1895, p. 133. of New York City. Henry Wells CLAPP and Ann C. HILLIARD had the following children: +5 i. Isabella CLAPP.